<p>Daderoo: your repertoire is perfectly OK, and if the performance level is high, it's likely that the CD will help you. (btw, what Schubert do you play, sonata? impromptu? moment musical?) There is definitely no way that you should be embarassed by the pieces you're playing. Concert pianists play those pieces all the time.</p>
<p>Schubert Impromptu. Thanks. One problem is that some of this is recordings from 9th, 10th, or 11th grade receitals or contests.</p>
<p>you have to make the tape good, though. the admission officers probably hears good stuff very often.</p>
<p>What's the point in sending a music tape? I thought it was for extremely talented musicians who want to continue their music education in college...not some kind of mediocre student who just sends it because he/she thinks it will give them some kind of edge. Yale08, do you have any thoughts on this? Did you send in one when you applied?</p>
<p>Um...I'll just briefly describe my music background.
I played in a professional symphony orchestra with all adults. We got paid, and it was all really fun holding my own against the 40 year-old musicians. (I played in youth symphonies before, and I can't even compare the experience!) So when I decided to apply to colleges, I felt like they would understand me better if I sent them some random stuff. I had the "credentials" (founded string quartet, attended Juilliard summer programs, took part in concerto competitions a soloist, all that good stuff), so I went ahead and sent music tapes, and had some auditions. Now that I am at Yale, I see all these extremely good pianists and violinists that are way better than me. My roommate is practically a virtuoso as I see it. For me, music is more of a side thing (I'm majoring in literature), so no, I was not "recruited" as a musician. I say, send the tapes in, but don't expect them to help you get into college, unless you're a star.</p>
<p>For both music and athletics, the question might be whether, even though you are not competitive (at least not being a semi-pro) at the college level, your qualifications and interest are somehow sufficiently outstanding to be weighed on the evidence of results (400 m. time, music CD submitted), rather than merely evidence of high-school level glory or time devoted. This might be even more relevant in music, where the possibility of continued participation is perhaps more relevant than, say, being a starter on your HS basketball team but not good enough to continue in college beyond the IM level.</p>
<p>"don't expect them to help you get into college, unless you're a star"</p>
<p>Of course not. But, at a place like Yale, there are a lot of applicants on the knife edge of getting admitted or not.</p>
<p>As my screen name indicates, I'm a parent. My son didn't submit a CD to Stanford, where he got in SCEA, because their music submission policy didn't seem very encouraging. Who knows whether Yale might cut him a liitle slack for evidence of musical talent or accomplishment? He would love to sing with the Whiffenpoofs!</p>
<p>I really don't think that a CD alone will get one into Yale unless, say, you recorded an entire CD for DG or EMI or Decca and send that CD. Or you send the recital program you used to win the Tchaikovsky Competition or the Chopin Competition or the Van Cliburn Competition. However, a very good CD definitely won't hurt. </p>
<p>How much it will help? - it really depends on different factors, many of them are beyond the applicants' control. I'm actually planning to major in music if I get into Yale, and I sent a CD. I applied and auditioned at several other conservatories, and, not bragging, I believe I'm at conservatory level. But I highly doubt the quality of the CD I sent, since many of the pieces are simply not recorded from my highest level of performance. So, the point is, a tape/CD is not a great way to evaluate music ability (that's why conservatories use auditions), and don't place much hope upon your tape/CD, even if you're a great musician.</p>